Ok, I just found this video and had to share it. I have seen the light!!! This video about human behavior will tell you just how far the enemy can drag you down, and drag you away from others. Jesus' command is to live one another. This perfect example of human behavior is exactly the opposite. Check it out!!! It will change the way you see those closest to you.There will be more to come on this subject, as this is a series of videos on You Tube. If you want to investigate further, check out Melanie Tonya Evan from Australia!https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rJP0FUk6oWY ~Until next time,

Do you struggle to keep the balance between pride and humility? I do. Our society teaches us to boast our every success. Social media is flooded with shout outs for the things we have done. As authors we are told to market ourselves, get our name out there, make our mark in the industry. But we must maintain a humble heart before the Lord. So how does that work? “I am excited about what I have done—but it takes nothing away from what you have done. And I am no better than you in anyway.” Is it just me, or is that completely insincere and rather nauseating? I have to hold every thought captive. Analyze it. Is it about me, or am I pointing others to Christ? Is this for my glory or His? These are tough questions and I often dread the answers. Because I suffer from pride. How do you stay humble?From Guest Blogger:Michelle Janenewww.turretwriting.com~Until next time,

I’ve actually gotten into trouble for laughing too loud at work. When given my 15 year service award, the manager said “I don’t think she’s ever had a bad day.” Yet there are those who make it their mission in life to tear me down. Our lesson at church this week was “take up your cross and follow me”. For a long time I struggled to know what that meant. You see, I’ve always had it in my head that to “take up the cross” meant that you had to leave… go be a missionary in another country… move across the world… in some way physically leave the life you had in order to begin a new one with Christ as the center. Turns out that’s not necessarily true; you can take up your cross right where you are. They key is to put Christ as the center of it all. My cross is to keep my joy and happiness in the face of those that cannot. When others try to tear me down due to their own unhappiness and insecurity, I keep my spirit of peace. When they try to transfer onto me those attributes that they are not willing to/ or capable of letting go of, I shower blessings on them. My happiness is a choice. My choice, not theirs. As soon as you realize that they truly have no control, life takes on a whole new meaning.Their insecurity, their hatred, their fear, their control, is all their journey - not yours. Never expect anyone else to validate your value. They can't. They can only see the limits of what their own baggage allows them to see.baggage “Love thy neighbor. Pray for your enemies. Love, as I have loved you.” My cross is to love those that cannot love me. The reasons and excuses for their hatred and fear don’t really matter anymore. My cross is to show Christ’s light to a screwed up world, in my own back yard - and keep my happiness doing it. And only then, can they see the true light that shines for the world to see.~Until next time,

I'm not good enough.I can't do it.Everybody hates me.It's not enough that the world beats us down at every turn, but we have to keep up the fight, and continue to beat ourselves up when everyone else is done.I'm a failure.I can't do anything right.Or, the expectations that we put on ourselves when we compare ourselves to others.I can't make it on my own.I'm afraid to be alone.I don't make as much money as she does.I have to show the world that I am better.Better = more, bigger, better, nicer, more expensive, MORE.So how do you let go of those feelings that cripple you. I've heard people say "Just get over it." That seems a bit cruel. These feelings go down deep and shake the very core of who you are. If it was that simple, there would be no problems.The answer is a little deeper. Christ shows us in his life. You see, His purpose for coming here to earth was not about Him. "The Son of Man came not to be served, but to serve others." He wasn't put first. It was about us. He wasn't thinking of His own accomplishments, He put others before Himself. We have to learn to take ourselves out of the mix. I will repeat the opening line in one of my favorite books, The Purpose Driven Life, by Rick Warren. "It's not about you." If we can stop dwelling on all of our failures and downfalls, then we can start to get past them. Don't think about how you see yourself, or how others see you. Think about how Christ sees you. Life will take on a whole new meaning.If we can stop seeing ourselves through the judgmental eyes of others, then we can truly begin to see what our real value is. Because, truthfully, all insecurity really is, is the judgment of others imposed on us. Judgment is God's and God's alone. People have NO RIGHT to do that to each other.Christ came to live (and die) for us. If you can turn things around and live for Him, then you will find true value and purpose in your life.Pick up a copy of this book. It will change your life. (No, I get no kick-backs - but I wish I did!)

There is something truly blessed about the Sierra Nevada Mountains surrounding Lake Tahoe. Its beauty and magesty are astounding. It leaves me speechless just to look upon the beauty of the glistening Topaz color of the water on a clear day.I am here for a week now staying atop the gorgeous Heavenly Valley. I don't think the name is any accident. I have come to relax, rejuvenate, and to spend some time alone with God - something I get way to little of at home.Christ is our example in this. When he was stressed, he withdrew from the crowds to pray. He chose to spend time alone with God.

How many Lutherans does it take to change a light bulb?Change?!?!?!?!?! (scared face)Change is scary, for a lot of people and for a lot of reasons - especially in relationships. The truth is that some people just refuse to change, and would rather sacrifice a relationship rather than face the change that is required to make it work.And here's the clencher. Some people are simply not capable of change. It's not that they won't, they just can't.How many psychiatrists does it take to change a light bulb? Just one. But it takes a long time, costs a lot of money, and the light bulb has to want to change.Change comes from the inside. If the party involved either won't or can't, there's nothing you can do to make that happen. The best and most important step at that point, is prayer. Ask God to do the impossible. Ask Him to intervene and do the things that you cannot. Ask God for a miracle. Then sit back and see what happens. Understanding that the answer might not be Yes. Sometimes you have to walk away. And that walking away is for a reason. That reason always should be to glorify God. If you are being held back, held down, prevented from being all you can be, then it's time to shake the dust from your feet and move forward.Christ came to change the world - to shake it up and give us a new perspective. I, for one, will not be stuck in the same old rut that I have been for decades. It's time to spread my wings and fly to heights that I have only dreamed of so far. I will miss those that get left behind, but they have the choice of coming along with me on this journey called life.Change is not always bad. Just different.Have this blog delivered right to your Kindle!